Xavi Hernandez’s Barcelona will look for all three points when they hit the road to square up against FC Porto.
FC Porto and Barcelona both got off to a winning start in the 2023/24 Champions League group stage. But, now it is time for them to square up against each other in search of another three points.
The home team kick-started their UCL campaign with a 3-1 win over Shakhtar Donetsk. The Portuguese club had more of the ball, and they ended up creating way more chances than their opposition. In the end, it was a rather comfortable win for Porto.
But, now they have a tough task of squaring up against La Liga champions Barcelona. And, Porto are heading into this fixture on the back of a 1-0 defeat at the hands of rivals Benfica. They were far from their best against Benfica and if they did not put up a better fight, things could have gotten ugly for them.
The visitors are in red-hot form in the new season. The Blaugrana were sensational in their opening fixture of the group. They outclassed Royal Antwerp and ended up winning 5-0 on the day. Xavi’s men will now aim for another special performance when they visit FC Porto.
Barcelona might have won two out of their three fixtures after their match against Royal Antwerp but they have not been at their best. They have somehow managed to get on the right side of the result twice and played out a draw against Mallorca.
The Catalan giants will be eager to put up a dominating display against Porto, but it won’t be that easy. Meanwhile, The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could use.
Team News & Tactics
FC Porto
The home team will be without the services of Ivan Marcano, Evanilson, Gabriel Veron and Zaidu Sanusi. Meanwhile, the availability of their 40-year-old skipper Pepe is still doubtful after missing the clash against Benfica because of a muscular problem.
𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗜𝗢𝗢𝗢𝗢𝗡𝗦 🤩🐉#FCPFCB #UCL pic.twitter.com/7NTmRlAlfC
— FC Porto (@FCPorto) October 3, 2023
Sergio Conceicao is expected to go ahead with the 4-2-3-1 formation, where Diogo Costa will be in goal. Joao Mario and Wendell will start out wide as the full-backs. If Pepe is not fit in time, Fabio Cardoso will start alongside David Carmo.
Stephen Eustaquio and Alan Varela will start as the double pivot in the centre of the park. While they would love to dictate the pace of the game, they will most likely have a lot of defensive duties against the Catalan giants.
Andre Franco and Galeno who contributed towards all three goals in their last Champions League outing will start on the flanks. Ivan Jaime will feature as an attacking midfielder just behind Iranian striker Mehdi Taremi.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Costa; Mario, Cardoso, Carmo, Wendell; Eustaquio, Varela; Franco, Jaime, Galeno; Taremi
Barcelona
Raphinha picked up a hamstring injury in their last outing and is all set to be out for the next few weeks. Apart from the Brazilian, Pedri and Frenkie de Jong are unavailable for this fixture.
✈️ Porto, here we go! 🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/NNabccHiLL
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 3, 2023
Xavi will once again go ahead with the 4-3-3 formation, where Marc-Andre ter Stegen will be an automatic pick in goal. Joao Cancelo and Alejandro Balde will be the full-backs. The duo have been in sensational form and they will look to continue in a similar fashion.
In the heart of the defence, Andreas Christensen could start alongside Jules Kounde. Oriol Romeu will start in front of the back line as the defensive midfielder. Gavi and Ilkay Gundogan will be there to support Romeu in the centre of the park. The duo will look to dictate the pace of the game and supply balls to their forwards.
Lamine Yamal could get his first start in the Champions League, with Raphinha out and Joao Felix is expected to continue on the left flank. Meanwhile, star striker Robert Lewandowski will continue in goal.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): ter Stegen; Cancelo, Kounde, Christensen, Balde; Gavi, Romeu, Gundogan; Yamal, Lewandowski, Felix
Key Stats
- This will be the sixth meeting between the two teams in the UEFA Champions League history.
- Barcelona have won four out of their last five outings against FC Porto.
- The home team have only won one Champions League game against the Catalan giants which came back in 1985/16.
- Xavi’s team are unbeaten in all competitions in the 2023/24 season.
- Prior to their defeat against Benfica in their last outing, Porto were on a seven-match unbeaten run.
Player to Watch
Lamine Yamal
The 16-year-old sensation has been on fire this season after being promoted to Barcelona’s first team. The Spanish international has already featured in nine games for the Catalan giants and has bagged two assists in 435 minutes of football.
Yamal is all set to make his full debut in the Champions League, and he will be eager to hit the ground running. Given his recent form, he could end up having a big say on the result of this fixture.
Prediction
FC Porto 1-3 Barcelona
Both teams started off their Champions League campaign with an easy win. But, this fixture won’t be easy for either FC Porto or Barcelona. However, their a difference in the quality of both the squads. Barcelona have a much stronger squad with some of the biggest stars in the game and they might end up deciding the game for them. As a result, The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-1 win for the Catalan giants.
